London, United Kingdom – In London, a mother named Melita Jackson decided to give her estate to animal charities instead of giving it to her only child, Heather Illot. However, Britain’s Court of Appeal decided to overturn her will and give some amount to her child.
Jackson and Illot had been estranged for more or less 26 years. The gap between them started when Illot left their home to live together with her husband-to-be. Even until the death of Jackson, the rift between did not end even when several reconciliations were attempted.
According to Judge Mary Arden, the mother must have provided a fair provision to Illot, who does not have a pension and is only living on benefits. In the court ruling, it has also been discovered and reported that the deceased mother did not have any connection to the charities she named in her will.
In June 2004, Jackson died. She had estate amounting to 486, 000 pounds, equivalent to US$758,000. In her will, it is stated that all of what she left will be divided to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and a charity for abandoned animals, leaving no succession rights to her only daughter.
Britain’s Court of Appeal overturned the will of Jackson and gave 143,000 pounds to her daughter so that she can afford to buy her rented home from the housing association. Aside from the 143,000 pounds, the court also awarded her 20,000 pounds that will serve as additional income.
The charities were not happy about the decision of the court to overturn the will of Jackson. They said that the decision of the court raises certain concerns, such as “Do people have the freedom to choose who they want to give their estate and money in their will?”
According to the charities, they will think carefully whether to consider appealing the decision of Britain’s Court of Appeal or just accept their decision.
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